Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. It supports charitable organizations and causes that enhance the lives of people in Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania, with stated areas including art, education, human services, music, conservancy, child protection, and life enrichment.
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc gave $28K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $28,000
- -34.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- -18.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,154
- -19.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $63,186
- +8.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (6 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its 2026 application packet invites qualified 501(c)(3) organizations to submit a letter of inquiry and completed application by email. The packet says preference is given to organizations benefiting Western Pennsylvania and that the foundation does not generally fund general operating purposes, sectarian purposes, private or parochial schools, political action groups, or individual public schools.
- Review Cycle
- November 14, 2026, according to the 2026 application packet.
- Deadline
- November 14, 2026, according to the 2026 application packet.
- Contact
Mailing address: 100 Old Lincoln Hwy West, Ligonier, PA 15658
Phone: (724) 396-5887
Website: https://www.laurelridgefoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ligonier Valley School Dist Foundat ($5K). Together the top 10 received $25K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated geographic emphasis is Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 13 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2022) to $43K (2024). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $28K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ligonier Valley School Dist Foundat Ligonier, PA | FOOD2GO Weekend Backpack Food | $4,800 |
| Ligonier Valley Police Foundation Ligonier, PA | Purchase Body Armor | $3,200 |
| Fort Ligonier Ligonier, PA | Youth Leadership Seminar | $2,500 |
| Greensburg Hempfield Area Library Greensburg, PA | Growing Minds Initiative | $2,500 |
| Ligonier Valley YMCA Ligonier, PA | Teen Game Space Furnishings | $2,500 |
| Westmoreland Historical Society Greensburg, PA | New Security System | $2,500 |
| Westmoreland Museum of American Art Greensburg, PA | Immersive Lansdcape Exhibition | $2,000 |
| New Florence Community Library New Florence, PA | Carpet Upgrade | $1,750 |
| Loyalhanna Watershed Assoc Inc Ligonier, PA | Purchase of Materials/Equipment | $1,500 |
| Special Olympics Pennsylvania Norristown, PA | Support of Westmoreland Co. Sports | $1,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,186 | $68,627 | $63,621 | $28,000 | 13 | $28,000 |
| 2024 | $58,180 | $59,529 | $62,864 | $42,990 | 16 | $42,990 |
| 2023 | $61,515 | $66,135 | $63,540 | $36,100 | 10 | $36,100 |
| 2022 | $58,920 | $73,949 | $15,029 | $4,000 | 4 | $4,000 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its mission is to provide charitable fundraising for nonprofit organizations and causes that enhance the lives of people in Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania. Its stated areas are art, education, human services, music, conservancy, child protection, and life enrichment.
Its 2025 grants included support for a library literacy initiative, an art museum exhibition, sports for people with intellectual disabilities, and food distribution. The Greensburg Hempfield Area Library describes its mission as promoting literacy and lifelong learning; the Westmoreland Museum of American Art describes its work as providing cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas and perspectives. Special Olympics Pennsylvania says it provides sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $28,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $4,800, with a median of $2,000. Notable awards included $4,800 to Ligonier Valley School District Foundation for its Food2Go weekend backpack food program; $3,200 to Ligonier Valley Police Foundation for body armor; $2,500 each to Fort Ligonier, Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Ligonier Valley YMCA, and Westmoreland Historical Society; and $2,000 to Westmoreland Museum of American Art.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jo Ann M. Rossi as president, Lisa Spitzer as vice president, Gina Kisel as secretary, and Dee Gano as treasurer.
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc is led by Jo Ann M. Rossi, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jo Ann M. Rossi
President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dee Gano
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gina Kisel
Secretary
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Spitzer
Vice President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc
How much does Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc give each year?
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc gave $28K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $43K across 16 grants.
What is Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,154, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc that year got $2K on average.
Where does Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc give grants?
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ligonier, PA (8 grants) and Greensburg, PA (3 grants).
Does Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Ligonier Valley School Dist Foundat ($4,800), Ligonier Valley Police Foundation ($3,200) and Fort Ligonier ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc?
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc reported $63K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $69K.
What does Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to provide charitable fundraising for nonprofit organizations and causes that enhance the lives of people in Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc?
The foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's EIN?
Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2889634. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Laurel Ridge Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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